UK to standardise auction data amid calls for new visual arts trade body

The UK is preparing to introduce a system to standardise the recording of auction sales for art and antiques. This initiative is intended to provide data and statistical evidence of the auction sector’s output. Art professionals hope that such standardisation will help the government better understand and appreciate the impact of the UK’s art industry. The new system will be formalised through the introduction of a Standard Industrial Classification code, known as UK SIC 47.921, which will encompass activities of retail auctioneering houses for artworks, antiques, and antiquities.

The new SIC code is not expected to come into use until 2031. However, its introduction is seen as an important step forward in recognising and increasing the visibility of the sector’s economic contribution. This development is considered to have implications that extend beyond any single political cycle, according to sector representatives.

A recent panel discussion on the topic was moderated by The Art Newspaper’s art market editor-at-large, Melanie Gerlis. The panel included Paul Hewitt, director general at the Society of London Art Dealers; Alison Cole, Director of The Cultural Policy Unit and also The Art Newspaper’s editor-at-large; and Tom Kiehl, chief executive of Music Limited.

Central to the discussion was a call for a new association or body for the visual arts. The aim would be to bring together representatives from both the commercial and public sectors. This proposed body is intended to address the current fragmentation in the sector, where artists, commercial galleries, public sector organisations, and auction houses often work independently.

Orrell, a participant in the discussion, noted that since the pandemic there has been a real need for a shared, combined approach from the whole ecosystem. The current situation is described as disparate, with various groups in the visual arts sector operating separately.

Paul Hewitt emphasised that the proposed new body would not replace existing trade associations and bodies across public and commercial functions of the visual arts. Instead, it would seek to amplify the impact and evidence across the sector, providing a stronger collective voice.

The panel also highlighted the need for a high-profile public figure or ambassador to champion the visual arts, referencing the influence that such strategies have had in the music and sport industries. The conversation echoed broader calls for greater support of the industry, including helping artists with sustainable business models, exploring new approaches to philanthropy, and considering how advances in AI could improve efficiency and security for businesses and organisations facing rising costs and reduced funding. The panel was described as a call to action, encouraging interested parties to contact CVAN and get involved.